By the time they arrived in Tokyo, it was already late, and Kitahara, Oguri Cap, and Belno Light were about to temporarily part ways with Tamamo Cross.
"Then we'll head back to the academy first. Otherwise, after curfew, the dorm leader will annoy us to death, and she'll tell the old man. He'll worry too."
Outside the station, Tamamo Cross waved and said,
"You guys go settle into the hotel first. After your hospital visit, remember to come by the academy and hang out!"
Through their casual chat, she had already understood Kitahara and the others' purpose.
"No problem. As long as the cafeteria at Central lets us eat freely, I'm fine," Oguri Cap replied in her straightforward, characteristic way.
"Mm, goodbye, Little Tamamo," Belno Light said in a normal, polite tone.
Kitahara only smiled and waved, saying nothing.
It wasn't that he regretted failing to recruit Tamamo Cross. In fact, thinking about this Uma's difficult childhood had shifted some of his thoughts.
Uma Musumes were all very pure, like mirrors reflecting what's around them.
They were pure, but not foolish. They knew exactly how others treated them and how to respond in kind.
Kitahara even thought that Tamamo Cross's decisive rejection of Belno Light on the train might have been because she sensed his intention to recruit her.
He still believed that compared with other trainers in this world, he had a unique advantage. If this advantage were properly applied, it could give Uma Musume a better future. He was confident in this.
But facing such a pure girl as Tamamo Cross, her kind trainer, and the bond between them, Kitahara could never bring himself to say something like: "Give me Tamamo Cross; I can give her a better future."
Better to take it slowly—or just go with the flow.
After gathering his thoughts, Kitahara left the station without much hesitation, taking Oguri Cap and Belno Light to a hotel near "Tokyo Central Excellence Hospital."
The next morning, they got up early as planned to visit the hospital for a complete checkup of Oguri Cap and Belno Light .
In Japan, hospital visits usually require appointments, arranged according to the doctor's schedule.
However, Musaka Ginjirō had arranged everything carefully. In his phone call to Kitahara, he recommended a well-known Uma Musume doctor, who agreed to see them promptly.
Thus, in just one morning, a full range of exams was completed: internal and external physical checks, sensory organ function, routine fluid tests, and ultrasound of internal organs and bones.
Afterward, Kitahara gave Oguri Cap and Belno Light the rest of the day off while he waited for the results.
He noticed yesterday, right after leaving the station, that the two girls were completely dazzled by Tokyo's bustling scenery, walking to the hotel in excitement and nervous anticipation.
Upon arriving at the hotel, their excitement only intensified.
The three of them had booked two adjacent rooms the night before, separated by a wall. Kitahara could hear faintly from the next room their excited voices saying things like, "So this is the big city, Oguri," and "I wonder if all these shops sell food."
It wasn't hard to understand. Oguri Cap and Belno Light usually trained and studied at Kasamatsu Tracen Academy. Outside of that, they would compete or occasionally go out with friends to sing, dance, eat, or shop.
The academy and race venues were essentially rural. Outside the central areas, there were only fields and forests. Entertainment options were extremely limited.
So a rare trip to Tokyo deserved a few extra days to enjoy themselves, Kitahara thought.
Besides, both had just competed and needed some rest.
Being in "top form" was still important; maintaining a balance between work and rest mattered.
While letting the racehorse girls enjoy themselves, Kitahara took care of the serious matters.
That day, Oguri Cap and Belno Light went to Harajuku, while Kitahara went alone to the hospital to collect the results from a few days prior and consult the doctor in detail.
"For Belno Light, there's nothing wrong," said the doctor analyzing the results. He was an elderly man with silver hair, named Kokubo Ren.
He reviewed the results and first discussed Belno Light's condition:
"Sensory functions, fluid indicators, internal organs, skeletal structure—all within normal limits."
"Looks like you're an excellent trainer, able to maintain your racehorses at this level. Even in Central, this would be considered outstanding."
Kitahara felt little emotion at the praise. He wasn't easily swayed by others; he only cared about his own racehorses.
After Kokubo finished, Kitahara nodded and thought for a moment.
"Thank you, Doctor Kokubo. But since you started with Belno Light, does that mean there's an issue with Oguri Cap?"
This question wasn't because Kitahara was biased toward Oguri Cap. Normally, Oguri Cap's physical fitness clearly surpassed Belno Light's, so doctors usually report on the less healthy one first—unless there was a problem.
Anticipating this, Kitahara's heart tightened.
"Huh? For your age, you're quite experienced," the doctor said.
"You're right. I wanted to start with Belno Light because her results are normal, then discuss Oguri Cap's condition in detail."
Kokubo explained calmly, reviewing the results again, then smiled gently at Kitahara:"But you should temper your temperament. Don't be so impatient; it will affect training."
Uma Musumes have keen perception. If their trainer is anxious, they will notice, which affects their emotions."
"I said I would discuss Oguri Cap's situation in detail, not that there's a problem. No need to rush."
Kitahara was indeed anxious, worried about Oguri Cap's results, and a bit impatient when the doctor seemed evasive at first.
But seeing the doctor's guidance and that Oguri Cap was ultimately fine, he quickly calmed down.
The doctor was right. In the other world, horses are highly intelligent; mature horses have intelligence comparable to a 7–8-year-old child, just unable to speak.
For example, racehorses understand the importance of competition and even recognize when they've lost.
Hmm… If memory serves, in the 1985 Autumn Tenno Sho, Symboli Rudolph surprisingly lost to the 13th-ranked Gallop Dyna, then threw a tantrum and cried afterward…
It would be interesting to know if the other world's Symboli Rudolph cried too—the image of a dignified emperor crying…
In any case, since horses are so sensitive, Uma Musume must be even more perceptive. In the future, attention to emotional state and even learning emotional control would be necessary.
(End of Chapter)